Mastering Plug-In Use in Sonar X3

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razor
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2016/03/04 16:30:48 (permalink)

Mastering Plug-In Use in Sonar X3

Hey Folks!
 
I've just completed a mix that I want to master in WaveLab, but I think I've run into a little snag.
I've never used any of the Sonar mastering plug-ins or features before, because I've always used WL, but there seems to be a limitation in WL that is going to make me use Sonar for the entire mix (audio track) and I've never done that before.
 
What I want to do is add a little reverb to the entire track for the duration of the track, but I want to automate the level or wetness of the reverb just during the choruses. Since it will apply to the entire bounced track (mix), I'm guessing I just need to add another bus and route the mix to it and apply the reverb and automation envelopes that way.
 
Is that the best method for what I want to accomplish with the reverb, or can you think of a better way? I'm still going to master the track in WL, which means I'll need to export the audio file from Sonar with the reverb printed into the file.
 
Any ideas? What do you like for master bus reverb in Sonar X3 on a 80's influences Alternative pop rock song?
 
Thanks!

Stephen Davis
 
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    Bristol_Jonesey
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    Re: Mastering Plug-In Use in Sonar X3 2016/03/04 18:16:18 (permalink)
    Whatever you choose should be fairly subtle if it's across the whole mix.
     
    But I would suggest doing it the hard way and insert a send on EVERY track and spend as much time as necessary to really fine tune the send levels on each track.
     
    Listen to groups of instruments noting the contribution your verb is making, listen to just the wet reverb by soloing the reverb bus. Then if you solo different tracks you'll be able to "hear" into the reverb really critically.
     
    This sort of function should well be suited to a convolution reverb like Rematrix. I'd start there.
     
    Don't forget that a reverb used in this way will benefit greatly from EQ'ing it, before & after if necessary.
    Filter out the lows going in (so no subsonic rubbish is subject to reverb), then cut the highs after the verb to make it less splashy at the top end.
     
    Levels can also be contained with a touch of compression.

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    razor
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    Re: Mastering Plug-In Use in Sonar X3 2016/03/04 18:42:57 (permalink)
    Bristol_Jonesey
    Whatever you choose should be fairly subtle if it's across the whole mix.
     
    But I would suggest doing it the hard way and insert a send on EVERY track and spend as much time as necessary to really fine tune the send levels on each track.
     
    Listen to groups of instruments noting the contribution your verb is making, listen to just the wet reverb by soloing the reverb bus. Then if you solo different tracks you'll be able to "hear" into the reverb really critically.
     
    This sort of function should well be suited to a convolution reverb like Rematrix. I'd start there.
     
    Don't forget that a reverb used in this way will benefit greatly from EQ'ing it, before & after if necessary.
    Filter out the lows going in (so no subsonic rubbish is subject to reverb), then cut the highs after the verb to make it less splashy at the top end.
     
    Levels can also be contained with a touch of compression.


    Yes, very subtle. I'm considering a slight delay instead of reverb to simulate a common space that all instruments and vocals share.

    Stephen Davis
     
    Cakewalk by Bandlab
    Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit
    ADK DAW - (out of business 2018)
    Intel i7 4930K CPU
    Core i7 SB-E MOBO
    16 GB DDR3 RAM
    7 TB Storage
    Layla 3G SoundCard (11.5 ms Roundtrip Latency)
    UAD-2 DSP
    WaveLab 8 Pro 64-bit 
    Sound Forge 10 Pro
    #3
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